Pakistan U16s fall nine runs short of win

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-16 were beaten by nine runs in the first one-day match against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Australia hit up 208 with Y Pednekar (55) and J Liebke (37) being the top scorers. Zaman Khan (3-36), Saim Ayub (2-20), Aliyan Mehmood (2-22) and Saad bin Yousaf (2-47) were the pick of the bowlers.

Pakistan Under-16 played well up front with Saim Ayub (51) and Hasan Abid Kiyani (53 not out) keeping the team in the hunt after early fall of Mubashir Nawaz (0). Saim’s departure proved critical as Pakistan started losing wickets one after another.

Khalilur Rehman (6), Umer Eman (2), Samir Saqib (0) and Shaharyar Rizvi (0) failed to stay at the wicket for long. Haris Khan (53) then struck two sixes and seven fours in his more than run-a-ball knock to take the team’s total close to victory. In the end, Pakistan fell short by just nine runs.

T Sangha (3-37), B Simpson (3-51) and M Jenkins (2-49) bowled well for Australia.Scores in brief: Australian Under-16 208 in 49.1 overs (Y Pednekar 55, J Liebke 37; Zaman Khan 3-36, Saim Ayub 2-20, Aliyan Mehmood 2-22). Pakistan Under-16 199 in 47 overs (Hasan Abid Kiyani 53 not out, Haris Khan 53, Saim Ayub 51; T Sangha 3-37, B Simpson 3-51, M Jenkins 2-49).